Nestled in a historic city that once welcomed European nobility in the early 16th Century, Birgu Blue Leather Atelier is far from an ordinary workshop. Located in Malta’s oldest bottega, this atelier is a space where craftsmanship is celebrated not just for its precision but also for its artistry.
“At the end of the day, we’re crafting bags,” says Ozzy Chien the atelier’s chief designer and artisan. “But each piece carries the soul of its maker.”
Situated within a 16th-century stone-arched workshop in Birgu, Valletta’s lesser-known yet equally historic neighbour, Birgu Blue stands apart from other Maltese fashion houses. The brand prioritises a direct collaboration with its artisans, ensuring that heritage craftsmanship remains at the heart of its work.
A Champion of Craftsmanship
Taiwanese-born Ozzy Chien, who leads the atelier and oversees a team of multidisciplinary artists, is more than just a designer. Recognized by Europe’s esteemed Homo Faber association, he is a master craftsman dedicated to preserving and evolving the tradition of fine leatherwork.
Birgu Blue is known not only for the quality of its creations but also for its commitment to artistic expression. In an industry increasingly driven by mass production and rapid output – even in the luxury sector – placing craftsmanship at the core of the design process is a bold statement. For Birgu Blue, it has become a defining philosophy.
A Space Where Creativity Thrives
Stepping into the atelier, one is immediately drawn to the mesmerising silence, where creativity takes shape. New designs can take months or even entire seasons to perfect. The workshop embraces traditional, hands-on leather-working methods, where manual techniques are favoured over modern machinery.
“It’s like the old days,” Ozzy explains. “We rely on skill and patience, not automation, to achieve the perfect finish.”
“At Birgu Blue, craft is our technology” – a tool for both experimentation and tradition. With some years of expertise under his belt, the Birgu Blue chief artisan applies his knowledge and techniques to create unique, high-quality pieces.
The design team introduces two mini collections per year – one for Autumn/Winter and another for Spring/Summer. Given the entirely handmade production process, no more than 10 pieces of each design are crafted, ensuring that every Birgu Blue bag remains a rare and distinctive creation.
The Art of Handmade Luxury
“Each piece is an invention in itself, requiring time and passion to bring it to life,” Ozzy shares. “Being an artisan means finding fulfillment in what you create with your hands.”
The brand’s philosophy of slow fashion and uncompromising quality is deeply rooted in the original founder’s experiences, Maltese-born Claude Zammit Trevisan, whose vision and foresight had driven him to set up the atelier together with Ozzy back in 2019.
“When I completed design school in Rome, I worked alongside a true master craftsman whose leatherwork was sought after by royalty and ultra-wealthy clients. He instilled in me a relentless pursuit of perfection,” Ozzy reflects. “I nearly joined Louis Vuitton in Paris to work in the leather design and production atelier, but the language barrier prevented it. Instead, fate led me to Malta, where I became part of Birgu Blue in its early days and helped shape it into what it is today.”
Launching during a turbulent period – the COVID-19 lockdown – was a challenge. However, Ozzy believes that the forced pause allowed them to refine their craft without pressure, ensuring everything was done to the highest standard from the start.
Today, Ozzy shares his workspace with younger European artisans, guiding them through observation and hands-on experience, transferring knowledge daily.
A Testament to True Craftsmanship
Each Birgu Blue bag is carefully numbered and comes with a craftsmanship guarantee card, reflecting the atelier’s commitment to quality.
A single bag can take over two and a half days to complete, often requiring nearly an entire leather skin, depending on the design and size. Every bag is crafted by a single artisan, ensuring that each piece carries a unique touch – no two are ever exactly alike.
When asked about the hardest part of the job, Ozzy admits, “you fall in love with the things you create. Letting go of them is sometimes difficult because each bag is a product of my hands, heart, and mind. But seeing them cherished by their owners is rewarding.”
A Different Kind of Luxury
“We don’t follow production quotas,” Ozzy emphasizes. “Here, value takes precedence over volume.”
Unlike larger luxury brands or even local fashion houses, Birgu Blue takes a discreet approach to marketing – no flashy logos, no excessive social media promotion, and no over-the-top packaging.
“We understand true luxury. It’s about creating slowly and with intention, not about aggressive branding or mass-market appeal.”
This philosophy is reflected in the pricing, with clients appreciating not just the quality and technique behind each piece but also the intangible soul infused into every design.
Despite catering to a niche market, Birgu Blue has seen steady growth, reporting a 10% revenue increase in 2024. “Our audience is expanding, but we prefer organic, meaningful growth over superficial popularity” Ozzy explains. “Ironically, our voluntary discreet approach to marketing is what sets us apart from the competition”.
While modern consumers have less exposure to traditional craftsmanship, the handmade still carries undeniable allure.
Looking ahead to Spring/Summer 2025, the atelier continues to blend passion, heritage, and innovation, reinforcing the signature excellence that defines every Birgu Blue creation.
